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Browsing by Author "Loghmani, Mary T."
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Item Development of a Mechatronics Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Device to Quantify Force and Orientation Angles(2016-05) Alotaibi, Ahmed Mohammed; Anwar, Sohel; Loghmani, Mary T.; Chien, Stanley Yung-PingInstrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a form of massage using rigid manufactured or cast devices. The delivered force, which is a critical parameter in massage during IASTM, has not been measured or standardized for most clinical practices. In addition to the force, the angle of treatment and frequency play an important role during IASTM. As a result, there is a strong need to characterize the delivered force to a patient, angle of treatment, and stroke frequency. This thesis proposes two novel mechatronic designs for a specific instrument from Graston Technique(Model GT3), which is a frequently used tool to clinically deliver localize pressure to the soft tissue. The first design is based on compression load cells, where 4-load cells are used to measure the force components in three-dimensional space. The second design uses a 3D load cell, which can measure all three force components force simultaneously. Both designs are implemented with IMUduino microcontroller chips which can also measure tool orientation angles and provide computed stroke frequency. Both designs, which were created using Creo CAD platform, were also analyzed thorough strength and integrity using the finite element analysis package ANSYS. Once the static analysis was completed, a dynamic model was created for the first design to simulate IASTM practice using the GT-3 tool. The deformation and stress on skin were measured after applying force with the GT-3 tool. Additionally, the relationship between skin stress and the load cell measurements has been investigated. The second design of the mechatronic IASTM tool was validated for force measurements using an electronic plate scale that provided the baseline force values to compare with the applied force values measured by the tool. The load cell measurements and the scale readings were found to be in agreement within the expected degree of accuracy. The stroke frequency was computed using the force data and determining the peaks during force application. The orientation angles were obtained from the built-in sensors in the microchip.Item The Effects of Instrument-Assisted Cross Fiber Massage on Ligament Healing(2010-05) Loghmani, Mary T.; Warden, Stuart J.; Burr, David B.; Robling, Alex G.; Seifert, Mark Frederick; Turner, Charles H.Ligament injury is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders that may lead to disability or disease, such as osteoarthritis. Conservative interventions which accelerate or augment ligament healing are needed to enhance therapeutic outcomes. The purpose of this research agenda was to investigate the tissue level effects of a type of manual therapy, cross fiber massage (CFM), in particular instrument-assisted CFM (IACFM), on ligament healing. Bilateral knee medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries were created using an established rodent model where one MCL received IACFM treatment and the other untreated MCL served as a within subjects control. The short and long term effects of IACFM on the biomechanical and histological properties of repairing ligaments were investigated. Tensile mechanical testing was performed to determine ligament mechanical properties. Ligament histology was examined under light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. IACFM was found to accelerate early ligament healing (4 weeks post-injury), possibly via favorable effects on collagen formation and organization, but minimal improvement was demonstrated in later healing (12 weeks post-injury). Regional blood flow and angiogenesis were investigated as possible mechanisms underlying the accelerated healing found in IACFM-treated ligaments. Laser Doppler perfusion imaging was used to investigate vascular function. Micro-computed tomography was used to determine vascular structural parameters. Compared to untreated contralateral injured controls, IACFM-treated injured knees demonstrated a delayed increase in blood flow and altered microvascular structure, possibly suggesting angiogenesis. Mechanotransduction is discussed as a mechanism for the beneficial effects of CFM in that application of a mechanical force was found to enhance biomechanical and histological properties as well as vascular function and structure acutely in healing ligaments. Although this thesis focused on IACFM treatment of injured knee ligaments, it is plausible for concepts to apply to other manual modalities that offer conservative alternatives to invasive procedures or pharmaceuticals in the treatment of soft tissue injuries.Item Reliability of Dynamic Soft Tissue Pain Assessment Using Novel Methodology and Technology(2024-05) Noel, Zachary Dewaun, Jr.; Loghmani, Mary T.; Kaushal, Navin; Sohel, AnwarSoft tissue manipulation (STM) is a form of manual therapy used to treat chronic conditions such as myofascial pain. There is a need to address how myofascial tissues contribute to chronic pain, which is critical for future biomarker development. An important step is the creation of Quantifiable Soft Tissue Manipulation (QSTM®). The purpose of this study is to determine the reliability of Quantifiable Soft Tissue Manipulation (QSTM®) devices on dynamic pain threshold assessment, and to determine effects of soft tissue assessment on secondary clinical outcomes in different body regions. In this observational study, 4 trained clinicians (2 novice, 2 experienced) treated patients with the QSTM® system Q1 and Q2 devices. The clinicians tested a total of 44 subjects (21 male and 23 female). Subjects were excluded if BMI was <19 or >30 kg/m2. All subjects were placed into age groups: young adults (18-30) and older adults (50-75). Secondary clinical outcomes were also measured. For average peak and maximum peak 3-dimensional resultant force, the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) demonstrated good inter-rater (0.65-0.73), and intra-rater (ICC 0.62-0.91) reliability for all subjects, however the inter-rater reliability was less for older adults (0.53 - 0.72). For the rate and angle, the intra-rater (ICC 0.15-0.94) was less than fair to excellent depending on the examiner, but greater than the inter-rater (ICC 0.18-0.34) reliability. The inter-rater reliability was less for older adults (ICC 0.00-0.19). Dynamic pain threshold assessment can be reliably assessed but the methodology needs to further be standardized, i.e., performed at a standardized rate and angle of force application, to improve reliability of this testing method.